News in Brief: A Washington Roundup

Department Seeks Comment on HEA Rules

The Department of Education is seeking public comments on its
proposed regulations for implementing the 1998 amendments to the Higher
Education Act.

Proposals to ease teachers' student-loan obligations and revise
requirements for colleges that participate in the federal government's
loan program have been among the most significant items on the table
the past few weeks, as college and Education Department officials
negotiated over the final regulatory wording.

The proposed regulations would enable the federal government to
forgive up to $5,000 in loans for teachers who spend five consecutive
years working in needy schools.

Among other provisions, the department is seeking comment on when
the government must approve changes in campus locations or governance
for colleges to remain eligible for federal student-loan programs.

Education Department officials argue that they would need to approve
such changes at private colleges, but not at public institutions.

"It is controversial and speaks to the issue of how public and
private schools compete for students," Jon Fuller, a senior fellow at
the National Association of Independent Colleges, a group representing
more than 900 schools, said of the department's proposal on that
issue.

Riley Appoints New Director of Communications

Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley has appointed Alexander Wohl
to be the Department of Education's new communications director.

Mr. Wohl previously served as Mr. Riley's speechwriter and deputy
chief of staff. He has been the department's acting communications
director since March, when David Frank left to join a public relations
firm.

A former newspaper reporter, Mr. Wohl received a law degree from
American University in Washington in 1990. He also teaches law as an
adjunct professor at American University.

—Joetta L. Sack

Vol. 20, Issue 1, Page 47

Published in Print: September 6, 2000, as News in Brief: A Washington Roundup

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